There are now four confirmed cases and 12 suspected cases of the exotic fungal disease chestnut blight in north-east Victoria.
The chestnut industry says the suspected cases are spread across the north-east, from Eurobin, near Myrtleford, to Swanpool near Benalla.
David McIntyre from Chestnuts Australia says the hope of eradication is fading.
"I think they've diminished a bit but we haven't given up the fight and certainly DPI [the Department of Primary Industries] is still aiming for that goal at this point in time as well," he said.
"It depends how many trees are infected I suppose and what size orchards they are and how close they are to others but we really won't know until the whole box and dice are in and we get a firm picture."